Recipes | Summer Fun | Farmer's Market Meals

It is hard to believe we are heading into the end of July.  We've had picture perfect days full of quintessential summertime memory making material -- bike rides, pool time, frozen treats, trips to baseballs games, adventures at amusement parks, spontaneous outings and plenty of time with friends.  Moments I could burst seeing my children carefree, with their dirty knees and sweaty faces, looking so happy. But we've also had our share of days when the sweltering temps have gotten the better of us, keeping us inside where battles ensue over what show to watch on TV, where whiny demands have had me teetering on the brink of insanity, and where sibling spats erupt without a moment's warning.  The house seems in a perpetual state of disarray with goggles and swim suits and towels and Crocs and Popsicle sticks turning up in the most unusual places.  That's the just the reality of motherhood.  When it's good, it's really, REALLY, good and when bad, you pray. Haha.  Don't worry, I pray and give thanks for the good too!! :) All. The. Time.

One of the things I most enjoy about summer is the produce and it's been INCREDIBLE this year.  I'm certain I've eaten my weight in cherries and peaches.  I look forward to our Sunday trips as a family to the farmer's market.  I nearly did cartwheels when I saw the arrival of tomatoes this past weekend.  FINALLY!  We shop, we people watch {I'm forever curious about what people are cooking} and we listen to live music while Charlie eats his snow cone and Andrew nibbles on a warm waffle. Good times.  I personally find the prices high, so I'm pretty selective.  I love to shop local and organic, but it has to taste better than what I can buy for a lot cheaper in the grocery store.  My favorite things to pick up are corn, tomatoes, fresh bread, artisan cheese, and homemade pasta.  This weekend I couldn't resist a bunch of gorgeous peaches too.

I like the challenge of thinking up what to make based on what I see and what looks best. I do have a couple new favorite recipes, that are perfect for days when you've been to the farmer's market...

Roasted Panzanella Salad

Recipe from Camille Styles via Lovely Little Parties

Peach + Goat Cheese Pizza

Recipe from Alexandra Cooks

{Recipe calls for nectarines, I used peaches along with Trader Joe's fresh pizza dough}

PS. A HUGE THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR LIGHTING HELP.  I LOVED READING ALL YOUR THOUGHTS!
YOU MIGHT KNOW ME BETTER THAN I KNOW MYSLEF! :)